We Love WNC: News & How You Can Help
Many of us have been heartbroken as we have witnessed the destruction and suffering that our WNC neighbors are enduring. We all have a desire to help in some way.
It's not too late to get involved. Two members of HEALNC's board have been involved in the cleanup. We will share one board member's perspective as a resident of WNC and other board member's perspective as a volunteer coming in from central NC. Throughout this article, we will post information about places where you can volunteer and donate. Please use your discernment and research if you want to help or give.
A WNC Health Freedom Advocate's Story
One of our own board members lives in Waynesville. Although her home was not damaged, many homes around her have been -- including the home of close family friends whose home was destroyed, and they have no flood insurance.
Although the damage in Waynesville is less severe than in other parts of WNC, she is aware of many heartbreaking stories that she has heard through her volunteer work at Dellwood Baptist Church. Dellwood Baptist has been a a hub for donations and service to the community.
Here are a few of the alarming stories she has shared that will illustrate the depth of the death and destruction in Waynesville alone.
Twelve people around Jonathan Creek, a small area of town, died in the flooding.
A woman who came into town to check on her family discovered that 12 of her family members had perished and 8 were missing.
A woman reported that the water went from 1 foot to 7 feet in less than 10 minutes. They had to escape so quickly that they couldn't save their dogs.
She has also heard first-hand stories from Asheville:
A woman reported that her husband found 7 dead bodies in his work as a lineman.
A medical professional reported that 2 bodies washed up into her yard. When she called the police, they simply asked her to send a map with a pin where the bodies were located.
This board member has called our attention to the following video about even harder hit areas. Based on what she's seen in Waynesville, she believes that the woman in this video is accurately describing the situation.
She also says that the supplies requested in this video are consistent with the supplies that have been most needed in her work in Waynesville.
https://x.com/In2ThinAir/status/1845854102338593044
In the above video, the speaker discusses her work in missions and dispatch for an operations team in Ashe County and Swananoa. She says that the news reports of approximately 200 deaths is not consistent with what she's seeing -- they are finding bodies every day.
She reports that the needs are high. You might have heard that the warehouses are full. According to both this woman and our board member, they are indeed full. However, both women say that the need for supplies will persist for months, and the surplus supplies will be put to good use.
The dispatcher in the video can be reached via this link which has information about places where you can donate and sign up to volunteer. It also lists supply drop-off locations in Wake Forest and Wendell.
Samaritan's Purse -- Asheville, Burnsville, Boone
Another HEALNC board member volunteered with Samaritan's Purse. They have a strong infrastructure in place for volunteers and will continue serving WNC for the months ahead.
Volunteers are placed on teams and sent into the community to meet the current needs. Our board member was tasked with cleaning yard debris for homeowners.
When you fill out your application, they will accommodate for any physical limitations. All help is appreciated. You can sign up for a day assignment or an extended assignment of a minimum of three days, which includes lodging and food.
Samaritan's Purse:
Other Places to Get Involved and/or Donate:
Blue Ridge Cowboy Church in Fairview
They are providing hot meals for people and also have a place for donation and distribution of needs for affected people in the community.
Check their Facebook page to learn current needs if you want to take donations.
Operation Airdrop - Civilian pilots making drops in affected areas.
Cajun Navy 2016 -- Find updates on Facebook
@Reverence.Farms (Instagram) is a local N.C. family farm that is helping,
Their non profit and their 501c3 arm is @knowinglove.
100% of donations go to supplies and trip expenses. No staff. Donations can be tax-deductible.
Sources Found on Facebook:
There are also some Facebook pages where daily needs are posted from various sources. The Facebook pages are a helpful way to keep up with the constantly changing needs in WNC. As progress is made and the weather changes, daily needs also change.